It is generally believed that the relationship between twins is endearing, adorable and mysterious. As twins grow up side-by-side, they are known to share their thoughts, interests, feelings and emotions. When they follow each other's footsteps and end up in the same profession, it also arouses a sense of curiosity among those who aren't part of the small club.

The cricketing world too has had its fair share of twins, who have evoked a sense of bewilderment among adoring fans. The Shevills (Fernie and Irene), the Rippons (Dudley and Sydney), the Dentons (Billy and Denton), the Matambanadzos (Everton and Darlington), the Signals (Liz and Rose), the Bedsers (Alec and Eric), the Blackwells (Alex and Kate), the Knights (Kyshona and Kycia), the Mohammads (Anisa and Alisa), the Marshalls (James and Hamish) and the most famous of them all - the Waughs - have played either first-class cricket or gone on to represent their country.

Baba Indrajith and Baba Aparajith, separated at birth by only 12 minutes, are also leaving an imprint on the cricketing landscape, with their consistent performances in the domestic circuit for Tamil Nadu. The striking similarities between them have puzzled their friends and families alike. It isn't difficult to envisage that scorers, pressmen and even managers of the Tamil Nadu cricket team have been befuddled by the amazing likeness of the pair.

If we take a trip down memory lane, during a game played in Hyderabad, the scorer requested the duo's parents to assist him in order to identify the twins. Intriguingly, even their parents found it rather difficult to differentiate between the pair. When the interviewer asked Indrajith about this peculiar incident, the affable cricketer nodded his head in approval.

Indrajith, the incumbent vice-captain of Tamil Nadu, spoke to Cricbuzz about the special bond he shares with his younger twin. The 23-year-old also pointed out that the siblings try to help out each other in their bid to improve as cricketers. "We have never seen each other, I mean, as competitors or something like that. We have complimented each other. We have always helped out each other. I have never seen him as a competitor. And in the same way, he doesn't see me as a competitor."

The twins breezed through the junior ranks quickly and Indrajith was soon appointed as the captain of Tamil Nadu at various ages. However, it was Aparajith, who first came into prominence, with his noteworthy performances in the Under-19 World Cup held in Australia in 2012. He aggregated 171 runs and bagged five wickets with his off-spin. Indrajith, on the other hand, couldn't make the cut.

Indrajith, however, again stressed upon the point that there has been no rivalry between the two and he felt happy for his twin brother when he partook in the Under-19 World Cup in Australia. "We want both of us to do well. We talk a lot about cricket. We discuss cricket. Even if there is competition, it is healthy competition. Nothing like he played in the Under 19 (World Cup) and I didn't play. It is not like I should also play. I mean I also would have liked to play in the Under-19 (World Cup) but I felt happy (for him)."

Indrajith donned his maiden cap in first-class cricket for Tamil Nadu in 2013 and soon carved a niche for himself. The 2014-15 Ranji Trophy season undoubtedly turned out to be the breakthrough year for him as he notched 713 runs at an impressive average of 44.56. It was followed by a rather indifferent show last year in the domestic circuit, but Indrajith bounced back to form by compiling 478 runs an average of 59.75 in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy season so far.

Indrajith observed that he didn't try to iron out any deficiencies during the off season. He added that he also had to wade through a difficult period, as he suffered a few injuries. "I haven't changed my game to be honest because I didn't have a great preparatory as I was suffering from injuries.

"So I directly played in the TNPL T20 format and went straight into the Ranji Trophy this season. So I didn't play the league this season. So for two to two and a half months, I didn't play a single three-day or a four-day game. Coming into the season, the first four-day game was the Ranji Trophy, but mentally I was prepared and was working with psychologists. And I was (also) working with my personal coach, but I didn't change anything in my game. I worked mainly on my basics."

Tamil Nadu are also involved in an intense battle with Gujarat in the ongoing Ranji Trophy encounter played in Belagavi. Indrajith, who composed a sure-footed 66 and shared a crucial stand of 116 with Kaushik Gandhi, said that he was disappointed not to have converted the fifty into a big score.

"It feels good to get runs, but I was very disappointed to get out." The middle-order batsman survived a run-out scare just before he was dislodged. Indrajith, however, said that the scare didn't play on his mind and his game is built on the old maxim of playing each ball on its merit. "Not at all, nothing like that. I play one ball at a time. I focus on the next ball."

As Tamil Nadu already have a lead of 90 runs, they are well-poised to qualify for the quarterfinals. Indrajith said that Tamil Nadu are in a position of strength and they don't have any specific plans going into the final day. "We have already taken the lead. So we are in a comfortable position. As of now, we don't any plans. If we have any plans, coach will tell us," he signed off.